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This trip represented a life-long dream and every moment of it is now a treasure. I smile every day when I think of it.

Tom McDonald was the driver and guide for this experience. l shared the journey with my adult son, Tom, a professional photographer who lives and works in the state of Oregon. Neither of us had ever been to Ireland before. We agreed that my son would fly from Oregon, and I would fly from my home in Buffalo, New York, to Dublin. We then worked out an itinerary that gave us 12 days to see northern Ireland, the north shore, and parts of western Ireland.

Tom McDonald arrived to pick us up at our Dublin hotel on September 23, and we set off to begin our tour.

Each day of the journey Tom McDonald arrived at the hotel where we had stayed for the previous evening, and each day he shared his knowledge and good humor with us. He knew the best places for photographs and patiently waited as we photographed each beautiful setting. Tom McDonald knew the best restaurants and unique settings that the average visitor to Ireland would not have known. Near the end of our trip, he drove us to a festival in Dingle for a lunch of fish and chips that was outstanding. As Irish musicians played traditional music, town residents danced and visited with each other along the colorful streets of the village.

In the evening, while staying at the hotels, I met several travelers who were stressed out from driving on extremely narrow, unfamiliar roads; one couple had even had an accident with their rental car. It was at times like those, that I was especially glad that Tom was our driver and guide.

It was hard to leave Ireland. I waited a lifetime to go there, but I hope it won't be too long before I can plan another family trip. My son has traveled around the world, and he joins me in saying that this was one of the best travel experiences ever, largely because of the professionalism and expertise of a Rural Experience and Tom McDonald.

Peg SchwabelBuffalo, NY (USA)

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IrishRuralTours, Owner at A Rural Experience - Day Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 17 October 2016

Hi Peg,

Thank you for your excellent review. We are so delighted that you both had a great tour with Tom (your driver) and it lived up to your life long dream of Ireland.

I hope you return soon.

Warm regardsRebecca

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My husband and I knew we needed to book a tour guide to visit all the towns we wanted to see in Ireland. We spent many weeks back and forth with several tour companies who we felt never really listened to what we wanted our tour to be. They were all standard fare and that's not us. We eventually stumbled upon Rebecca's company and we knew our search was over. From the first email to actually meeting her last week, (bonus for us!!) she was spot on with what we wanted to see and not see. We even had an "across the pond" moment when we both changed the itinerary at the same time! Eddie... what to say about him. He has a beautiful singing voice, fantastic sense of humor, knows where he's going , and most importantly knows when and where to stop for lunch! He was so attentive from walking us up to every registration at our stops, to making sure we knew where to meet him when were were done. If you loved taking family driving vacations growing up, then you have to use this tour company. It's family through and through.

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IrishRuralTours, Owner at A Rural Experience - Day Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 17 October 2016

Hi Wendy,

Thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. It has been a pleasure designing and organising your recent visit to Ireland and thank you for asking to meet me for a coffee (a side of my job I unfortunately rarely get to do).

I hope you both get to come back again soon.

Warmest regardsRebecca

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My husband and I were planning a trip to Ireland to last 12 days and knew we didn't want a standard bus tour nor did we want to drive. I contacted Rebecca at A Rural Experience and together we planned a trip that included all the places we wanted to see and others we didn't know we should see. She was fantastic! Very patient, she answered emails in a timely fashion and put together a great itinerary. Tom, our driver picked us up at the airport and away we went. He was knowledgeable, funny, good company and a good driver. The great thing about using A Rural Experience is that you never felt rushed when you were visiting anyplace. Tom gave us the time and was there when we were ready to leave. He was ready with alternatives if the weather got too dicey (which in our case it really didn't). Our advise, if you are planning a trip to Ireland is to use A Rural Experience. We cannot say enough good things about them.

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IrishRuralTours, Owner at A Rural Experience - Day Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 17 October 2016

Wow Susan thank you both for your wonderful review. It was a pleasure designing your tour and I looked forward to our emails.

I hope we get to meet again soon.

Warmest regardsRebecca

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This was my 3rd trip to Ireland and by far the best. Trip 1, we rented a car and used Rick Steves' book as our guide. Trip 2, we took mass transit / trains and buses and Rick Steves' book as our guide. But on this 3rd trip, we went with a private driver/ guide through A Rural Experience and it was by far the best of all 3 trips! Eddie, our driver/ guide (because he is much more than a driver), made our trip fun, relaxing and stress free. He is very knowledgeable about the area and we did the entire country, Eddie has a great sense of humor and lovely singing voice - go ahead- ask him to sing you a song :). When plans to see Skellig Michael were cancelled because of bad weather and the boats not running, Eddie found an alternative, the beautiful Cliffs of Kerry.....spectacular and peaceful (unlike the tourist flooded Cliff of Moher). If you're looking for the best fish & chips in the country, just ask Eddie.....he knows ..... and it is amazing! Also, you can have a pint with that fish and not a worry. Becky, our tour planner/ organizer, set up our entire itinerary making suggestions along our route for fun and interesting sights and activities. When our plans changed at the last minute and we needed an extra night of lodging, Becky came to the rescue with a recommendation for a fine B&B. She returns emails in a flash and you really do feel like you have family or a best friend taking care of you. This is the way to do it people! This is a family owned business where delighting the customer is the way they do business.

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IrishRuralTours, Owner at A Rural Experience - Day Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 17 September 2016

Oh my gosh Diane thank you for your amazing review. I had so much fun designing this tour with you and I honestly believe I have made friends for life.

Eddie I believe had as much fun with you all as you all did.

Let's make sure you have a 4tg trip back to Ireland.

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I would highly recommend A Rural Experience for a guided tour of Ireland. Tom was a very knowledgeable, pleasant and fun "ambassador". Our tour picked us up in Dublin, guided us down to Waterford, through and into County Cork, the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher. We did this in about three days and the pace was perfect. Tom knew how to get us to around and had interesting facts about all the places we traveled. Kept us on schedule without feeling rushed. It truly was like traveling with an Ireland friend. I am also a runner and was able to get up every morning and explore some of the less seen places. Made my experience even better. Highly recommend Killarney National Park! Oh -- and I enjoyed my lunch of fish and chips with Tom at his favorite place! :)

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IrishRuralTours, Owner at A Rural Experience - Day Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 7 September 2016

Thank you so much for your wonderful review and pictures.

Tom said you were a pleasure to tour with and it didn't feel at all like work. He said he has made friends for life. Hopefully you will get to return again to Ireland.

Warmest regardsRebecca

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